"DON'T DRIVE AT NIGHT "
"
DON'T CAMP ALONE"

Current Information

2/2/15 ROAD REPORT SAN FILEPE TO HIGHWA 1. Hello, this will be short but I will do a more detailed report with photos when I get home. Highway 5 south of San Felipe is paved 15 miles south of the turnoff for Papa Fernandez, just north of Gonzaga Bay. Papa Fernandez still charges only 80 pesos and the restaurant is open. Very tasty. As I travel single most of the time I have always liked this camp. There is a security gate, the people are friendly and you usually meet other interesting people. The road to the beach is still pretty rough....trucks or vans only....no big RVs. I left at 10 for Guerrero Negro. The paved road was great. The unpaved part of the road I found in worse shape than 4 years ago. They grade it and add dirt now and then, but a combination of the hurricanes and more use have erased all the fill dirt. The result is fairly level road but sharp rocks the whole way. I drive an Astro Van RV....nothing special but better tires than most. I don't want a punctured tire or all my dishes rattling around excessively....so I went slow....it is 10 miles unpaved to Cocos and another 7 to Highway 1....I took 3 hours for that 17 miles. There was some traffic, 2 semi trucks and 16 cars. Anyhow, 7 hours from Papa Fernandez to the checkpoint for Baja Sur. As you approach the checkpoint there is a Pemex on the east side of the road. Across from it is a little store and RV Park La Espinita. 50 pesos for dry camp. They have water and electric hookup, a mini mart, internet and a reading room. The owner also paints and there is some lovely art work for sale.....cactus flowers, beach scenes, landscapes.

Next stop San Ignacio... Las Petates camp on the river is 120 pesos and has showers. Laguna San Ignacio is paved for the first 46 km....very nice. There is a section where it is a raised grade over mud flats, clay. Sort of up and down and if it has rained recently, muddy and slippery. Several miles of sandy washboards until you come to the camps. The camps look very nice with showers and a restaurant. I did not ask about prices. I was with another older lady and we parked right on the shore in 2 different locations. We asked some fishermen, they said for retirees as long as you don't make a mess or cause any trouble it is free. Very nice. They checked on us the days we were there....drove by or walked by, waved, asked us if we needed anything. We saw lots of whales and huge flocks of cormorants all flying in lines....

Hope that is useful....I plan to be here until the first week of March, staying in the area between Santa Rosalia and Loreto. If Vags want to email me with questions I would love to be helpful. Maybe meet some new friends that way.

I was there a couple of weeks ago and we have a caravan in there right now. There are problems with the main highway down, there are rough sections & construction due to the extended rainy season this Fall. There is often a roadblock at Vicam near Cuidad Obregon, but they will let Gringos through. I give them a donation, they are protesting the fact the government is diverting their water supply to provide Hermossillo with more water. Camping is getting tighter. Los Cerrtio is probably the easiest but is full most of the season. Mat Rosa is still open for now. Many have closed for development. Stone island is open but its a rough road in from the Airport access road. Plenty of good restaurants. The expensive Fiesta Mexicana show & buffet (free drinks as well) on Wednesday nights at the El Cid Hotel is worth it. Paul Beddows

12/18/14 ROAD REPORTTijuana-Ensenada Toll Road - The Toll Road north of Ensenada which collapsed in December of last year is now open. Mexican road crews are still working on the road so there may be occasional delays.
South of Loreto - The long awaited completion of road construction about 15 miles south of Loreto is also finished reports President Tony Schuck. There is still construction on the wall and parking area, but that doesn't restrict the flow of traffic.
North of La Paz - There is still construction north of La Paz. Watch for heavy equipment.

12/4/14 FMM TOURIST CARDS PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE NOW REQUIRED TO GET YOUR TOURIST CARD VALIDATED AT YOUR POINT OF ENTRY. IMMIGRATION WILL NOT ACCEPT THE PREPAID FMM AT ANY OFFICE OTHER THAN THE ONE YOU LISTED ON YOUR APPLICATION. THE FINE IS MUCH MORE PAINFUL THAN STOPPING AND CAN SAVE YOU A TRIP BACK TO THE BORDER.
If you do not get the prepaid FMM and you plan on getting it at the border, do not ask for a Visa because it is not a Visa, it is a TOURIST CARD. US and Canadian citizens do not need a Visa to get into Mexico, they need a TOURIST CARD.

10/30/13 A meeting was held Thursday, October 17, in San Diego regarding FMMs required for fishing on boats in Mexican waters in the 12 mile zone from land.
We received information from the CONAPESCA Office in San Diego as to the new procedure for these FMMs. Mexican officials presented a website in Spanish to process FMMs online at http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php/page/Pesca_Deportiva_Turismo_Nautico. With this new system in place fishermen will have access to an FMM confirmation without having to stop at any border to validate their FMM. This will not take the place for land or air entries.

The price is 306 pesos and it is valid for 180 days, single entry. The website is in Spanish. Land entry FMMs for Baja crossings can be purchased through the Vagabundos Office. Immigration requires that this service be provided only to Members. A copy of a valid passport is required. FMM Application

Fishing licenses are also offered through the office. Non-members can purchase them with a slightly higher service charge one time before having to become a Member.You can get an application at Fishing License Application

Travel Information

Temporary Import Permits:

Vehicle Permits

The new fee is $44 plus tax. People going to Baja north & south and part of Sonora do not need to have one.

Everyone is required to leave a deposit (if you pay by cash or credit card); the deposit is based on the vehicle year. If anyone fails to return their vehicle prior to the expiration date the deposit will be kept.

Banjercito will run a check on the vehicle before issuing the permit, if there is any theft report on the vehicle or if it is restricted or prohibited to operate in the US or Canada, the vehicle cannot be temporarily imported.

The temporary permit time is based on the person’s immigration status i.e. 180 days for tourist.

People traveling in the eastern part of Sonora need to have a “Sonora Only Permit”

Boat Permits

The Vag office now is set up to process Temporary Boat Importation Permits (TIP). This is required if you are towing a boat of more than 15 feet. Marinas in Mexico have an obligation by law to keep a copy of a tourist visa, vessel TIP, insurance and certificate of documentation on file. The TIP is for recreational or sport boats for all people legally residing outside of Mexico no matter what your immigration status. Temporary Import Permit Application. A minimum of two weeks is needed for processing.

Travel Buddies Calendar

In keeping with today's internet reliance and the Vagabundos code to travel with a buddy, our Travel Buddies Calendar is now online - a great tool to find a buddy to caravan with. Members traveling to Mexico can post trips, find other members who are traveling, find Vag sponsored events, and use the interactive map. Regardless of your driving experience the easy-to-use calendar will allow you to find a buddy. For more information and to login click on http://www.vagabundos.com/TBC.html

Prepaid FMM's and Fishing Licenses

FMM's are for Vag Members only, and are on a first come, first served basis. You can obtain
these by filling out an Application and sending it in along with a copy of your
passport to our office. Contact us at HQVDM for more information on obtaining
these documents call (800) 474-2252.

PREPAID FMM'S (VISITOR CARDS)

These replace the former FMT's. Vagabundos members can obtain an FMM from our office, saving you from having to wait in line at a bank. There will be short times the office will
not have them available because the process requires that we submit a report and account for each and every numbered FMM for approval before Mexican
Immigration will release another batch. Please allow two to three weeks for
processing.

The price is $36.

FMM's AT TECATE: It is easier to park on the U.S. side, walk across to
Immigration in the building on your right.